Pulp-compression apparatus.



Patented Feb. I8, |902. -G. E. SHAW.

PULP GOMPRESSIUN APPARATUS.

(Applicatin led Jaln. 7, 1901.)

2 Sheets- Sheet I.

(No Modal.)

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No. 693,570. Patented Feu. la, |902.

G. E. sHAw.

PULP COMPRESSION APPARATUS.

(Application filed Jan.. '7, 1901.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(N0 Model.)

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vIINTTE STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE E. SIIAlV, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

PULP-COM PRESSION APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 693,570, dated February 18, 1902.

Application tiled January 7, 1901. Serial No. 42,354. (No model.)

T0 @Z whom may concern:

Beit known that I, GEORGE E. SHAW, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pulp-Compression Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide apparatus for manufacturing articles from pulp material of any desired form or shape and of uniform density.

The invention consists of the parts, combinations, and arrangements ot` parts hereinafter described and claimed."

In the drawings, Figure l is a vertical section of an apparatus embodying my invention; Fig. 2, a horizontal section on line 2 2 of Fig. l; Fig. 3, a section on line 3 3 of Fig. l; Fig. 4, a section on line 4 4 of Fig. l; Fig. 5, an enlarged section on line 5 5 of Fig. 2; Fig. 6, a perspective view of the collapsible lining for the article to be manufactured, and Fig. 7 a perspective view of the parts of the lining shown in Fig. 6.

In the drawings I have illustrated apparatus adapted to the manufacture of buckets or kegs; but it will be understood that by changing the form of the parts articles of any desired shape may be formed.

Reference-letter A denotes a mandrel, the outer surface of which corresponds to the inner surface of the inverted keg B; O, plungers or pistons having faces corresponding to the outer surface of the sides of the keg; D, a plunger or piston having a face corresponding to the bottom of the keg; E, a frame or spider operatively connected with plungers O and D; F, a piston operating in cylinderf and carrying frame E; G, a table carrying mandrel A; H, a piston-rod carrying table G; J, a cylinder for operating piston rod H through piston 7L, and K tie-rods upon which the different parts are mounted.

The mandrel A preferably consists of a partially hollow core a, rigidly attached to table G on piston-rod H and provided with a detachable outside covering a', whose ou ter su r-` face corresponds with the inner surface of the keg. The outside covering a preferably consists oi' three parts a2, d3, and a4, so litted together that the part ai forms a wedge ca- I pable of inward movement and incapable of outward movement relatively to the parts 0L2 and a4. (See Figs. 6 and 7.) In order to provide for securing parts a2, a3, and a4 in position, the mandrel A is provided at the bottom with a flange a5 and at the topl with T-shaped notches adapted to receive and engage theT-shaped lugs a6 on eaclrof the parts. The lugs a and their notches are so arranged that the upper surface of the lugs and the upper surface of the mandrel are flush and leave no crevices or projections to mar the inner bottom surface of the keg. Surrounding mandrel A and mounted on table c are the plunger compartments or chambers c, in which the plungers C operate on radial lines toward and away from mandrel A. In this case I have shown the apparatus as having four plungers C; but the number may be varied without materially affecting the product. However, I think it will be found that in most cases of articles of a cylindrical nature three or more plungers are desirable. When articles ot other shapes are desired, the shape of the mandrel or core A and number and shape of the plungers O will be varied to correspond. The plungers O are operated bytoggle-joints c2, having the stationary pivotal bearing c3 on table c and the movable pivotal bearingclin plunger-SO.

In order to render the stroke of the plungers O adjustable, one ot' the toggle-linksis broken and provided with an oppositely-threaded sleeve c5 engaging each part, so that rotation ot the sleeve will carry the parts toward or away from each other, shortening or lengthening the link. The toggle-joints c2 are operated by pivot-block e, sliding on slide-bar e', which is carried by spider E. It will be seen that when spider E is raised or lowered the toggle-joint c2 acts to withdraw or press the plunger from and tothe mandrel A. Immediately over the mandrel is another plunger-compartment, in which the plunger D is operated directly from spiderE through plunger-rod e2. At C2 this compartment is provided with an opening, through which a supply of the pulp material may be admitted. This opening is preferably in the uppermost portion of the compartment, so that it does not have to withstand the intense pressure resulting when the plunger' has nearly reached its downward limit. Plungers C and D are provided with any ofthe usual draining-faces. In plunger D the draining-chambers-communicate with external channel d, which encircles the plunger just above its draining-face and above which the plunger D is made smaller than its compartment, so as to permit the passage of liquids from the channel into the portion of the compartment above the plunger, and vice versa. Near its bottom the compartment is provided with a port d', normally closed by plug d2 and comm unicating with channel d3, which leads to the outer edge of the compartment-frame. The plug d2 carries a spring-arm d4, provided with a notch d5, engaging guide d6 and equipped with a spiral spring '617, tending to withdraw plug d2 from port d. At its inner end the arm d4 is provided with a Hange d8, engaging bell-crank lever e3, the other arm of which intermittently engages rod e4, carried by spider E. The rod e4 has some longitudinal play in spider E and' is so arranged that after the face of'plunger D has passed port d on its downward stroke the end of rod e4 engages ange d8 to depress spring-arm d4 to release notch d5 from guide d6 and permit spring Z7 to withdraw plug d2 and open port d/ at the instant when channel d is opposite port d. This throws channel d into communication with channel d3 and drains the compartment above the plunger. At its lower end rod e4 is provided with a pin e5, which upon the upward movement of rod e4engages bell-crank lever c3 to throw plug (Z2 back to close port d when it is locked by notch Spider E is reciprocated up and down by means of piston F in cylinder f, which is provided with the usual valves and ports for this purpose. At their outer ends arms e5 of spider E are given a sliding bearing on the rods K to steady their movement.

MandrelAis mounted on table G, which is carried by piston-rod Il. Table G is normally locked in its extreme upward position by swinging arms or props g, which may be withdrawn by means of cord g', passing over pulleys g2. Piston-rod H is rendered capable of vertical reciprocation by means of piston h in cylinder J, which is provided with the usual ports and valves for this purpose. Resting on table G immediately surrounding the lower portion of core a and projecting slightly over the edge of table G is a stripping-ring g3, which is notched at g4 to engage the bottom flange a7 of the core-covering a. The supporting-frame for arms g carries an annular receiving-table g5, provided with a ange gs, adapted to engage the projecting edge of stripping-ring g3, but permit table G to pass through it. It will be seen that when the piston h is operated to lower table G stripping-ring g3 engages table g5 and strips the covering a', together with the keg B, from mandrel A. To remove the core-covering a, the wedge-shaped part a3 is forced inwardly,

which is easily done when core a is removed, whereupon the other pieces CL2 and a4 may be removed.

In operation a supply of pulp material is admitted through opening C2. This material is in a comparatively liquid form and flows down into compartments c'. The supply is continued until all the plunger-compartments are filled, when it is shut olf. Then Asteam or other fluid under compression is admitted to cylinder f to canse spider E to descend under pressure. This movement of spider E simultaneously advances plungers O and D toward mandrel A, compressing the material before them. As the compression continues the draining-surfaces of the plun gers drain off the liquid in the material, leaving the solid matter to be closely molded about mandrel A. As plunger D advances the liquid passing throughitsdraining-face passesinto channel d and thence around the smaller upper portion of the plungerinto the compartment above the plunger, When port d is passed by the compressive face of plungerD,it is opened through the action of rod e4 on arm d4 and the liquid permitted to flow out through channel d3 and down into channel a9, whence it is conducted away through opening 010. The liquid in compartments c is also conducted out through the draining-surfaces on plunger Cinto channel c9 and conducted` away through opening C10. Owing to the fact that all the plungers are driven from the same spider E the material in each compartment will be subjected to the same pressure and a uniform article will result. The production of a uniform article is assisted by the character of the mandrel, which is practically solid and capable of withstanding intense pressure wit-hout breaking or yielding. After the pulp material has been compressed to the form of the keg B the pressure is relieved. Then props g are swung back and table G lowered until receiving-table g5 strips the covering d, and keg B with it, from mandrel A. The covering a', which is now the lining of the bucket, is readily removed therefrom by lirst removing the wedge-shaped part as.

I claim as my inventionl. The combination in apparatus for compressing pulp, of a central mandrel or core, conforming to the inside surface of the article to be manufactured; plunger-compartments provided with plungers having faces conforming to the outside surface of the article; a motor; slide-blocks connected With'the motor; and toggle-joints connected with the slideblocks, having one of their links given a stationary pivotal bearing, and the other link a pivotal bearing in the plunger, substantially,

as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination in apparatus for compressing pulp, of a central mandrel or core, conforming to the inside surface of the article to be manufactured; plunger-compartments provided with plungers having faces conforming to the outside surface of the article; a mo- IIO tor; slide-blocks connected with the motor; andtoggle-joints connected with the slideblocks, having one of their links given a stationary pivotal bearing, and the other linlc a pivotal bearing in the plunger; and means for adjusting the length of the plunger-connected link of the toggle-joints, su bstantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination in apparatus for compressing pulp, of a mandrel having its outer surface conforming to the inside inverted surface of the article Io be formed; a piston-rod carrying the mandrel from below and provided with a piston and cylinder for reciprocating the mandrel vertically; a cylinder, piston and piston-rod located immediately above the mandrel, and adapted to be actuated to reciprocate the piston-rod; .a plungercompartment located above the mandrel; a plunger on the upper piston-rod operating in said compartment to compress the contents thereof against the top of the mandrel; a series of radiating compartments surrounding the mandrel; plungers in said compartments operating to compress the contents thereof against the sides of the mandrel; and a connection between the upper piston and the plungers for reciprocating them toward and away from the mandrel, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. The combination in apparatus for compressing pulp, of a mandrel having its outer surface conforming to the inside inverted surface of the article to be formed; a piston-rod carrying the mandrel from below, and provided With a piston and cylinder for reciproeating the mandrel y vertically; a cylinder, piston and piston-rod located immediately above the mandrel and adapted to be actuated to reciprocate the piston-rod; a plungercompartment located above the mandrel; a plunger on the upper piston-rod operating in said compart-ment to compress the contents thereof against the top of the mandrel; aseries of radiating compartments surrounding the mandrel; plungers in said compartments operating to compress the contents thereof against the sides of the mandrels; togglejoints havinga pivotal bearing in the plungers and a stationary hearing, and slide-blocks carried by the upper piston-rod and connected with the apex of the toggle-joints, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. In a mandrel for pulp-compression apparatus, the combination of a rigid internal core With a covering for the core made in three or more sections, one of which sections is Wedgeshaped to permit its movement inwardly, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

6. In a mandrel for pulp-compression apparatus, the combination of a rigid internal core having at its bottom a supporting-flange, and at its top, notches; a covering for the core adapted to rest on the supporting-flange and made in three or more sections, one of which sections is Wedge-shaped to permit its movement inwardly; and lugs on the sections adapted to engage the notches in the core, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

7. The combination of the vertically-movable mandrel-core a.; the covering a consisting of sections a2, CL3 and a4; the strippingring g3 and the receiving-table g5, adapted to engage ring g3 and strip covering a from the core, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. f

8. In a vertically disposed compressioncompartment for pulp-compression apparatus; the combination of a downwardly-acting compression-plunger; a draining-face for the plunger, passages adapted to convey the liquid passing through the draining-face to the portion of the compartment above the plunger; a port in the com pression-compartment; means for throwing the port into communication with the upper portion of the compartment when the plunger has nearly reached the end of its compression-stroke; a plug normally locked in position to close the port; a spring tending to Withdraw the plug to open the port; and means connected with the compression-plu nger, adapted to release the plug when the plunger has nearly reached the end of its compressive stroke, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

9. The combination of the vertically-movable table G; mandrel-core a carried by table G; covering a on core at; piston h and cylinder .I for reciprocating table G; props for locking table G in position; stripping-ring g3 and receiving-table g5, adapted to engage ring g3 and strip covering ct' from the core, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

l0. The combination in pulp-compression apparatus of a vertically-movable mandrel, mounted on a fluid actuated piston, with means for rigidly locking the mandrel in position independently of the piston, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

1l. The combination in pulp-compression apparatus, of a vertically-movable mandrel mounted on a fluid-actuated piston; swingprops adapted to engage the mandrel and rigidly lock it in position, and means for swinging the arms out of operative position, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

12. In a vertically-disposed compressioncompartment for pulp-compression apparatus, the combination of a downwardly-acting compression-plunger; a draining-face on the plunger; passages adapted to convey the liquid passing through the draining-face to the portion of the compartment above the plunger; a port in the compression-compartment near the bottom; a plug normally closing the port; and means connected with the plunger adapted to withdraw the plug after the face of the plunger has passed the port, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

13. In a vertically-disposed compressioncompartment for pulp-compressing apparatus, the combination of a downwardly-acting IOO IIO

compression-plunger, tightly fitting its compartment at its face, and smaller than the compartment above the face; a draining-face ou the plunger; an annular draining-groove in the plunger just behind the face, communicating with the drain-channels in the face, and with the space between the smaller portion of the plunger and its Compartment; a port in the compression-compartment near the bottom; a plug normally locked in position to close the port; a spring tending to withdraw the plug to open the port; and means connected with the compression-plunger adapted to release the plug wh en the annu- 'di' spring dl; bell-crank lever e3 and rod e,

substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

GEORGE E. SHAW.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM J. OVERBECK, NATHAN R. PARK. 

